Mvcx Sorts in New Yorx 1241 
below the surface. The smaller areas are often bordered by nu- 
merous springs which even after drainage keep the water-table 
fairly near the surface. Such areas are likely to have higher agri- 
cultural value. 
The wide variations in the character of muck and peat soil are 
due to the kind of plants of which it is formed and the stage of 
decay. The stage of decay varies not only with the area but at 
different depths in the same area. Where the water level has been 
permanently at or near the surface, the surface soil is a better 
quality of muck than the subsoil which is likely to be quite peaty. 
In other cases, however, a better quality of muck soil is found be- 
low the surface than at the surface. It is possible that this rep- 
resents changes in the drainage condition of the area. Some 
recent obstruction of drainage may have raised the water level and 
thus renew the process of peat formation. In the deep areas the 
lower part of the formation is likely to have lost its peaty nature 
and it sometimes takes on a dark grayish color and a flaky nature. 
When thoroughly broken up by tillage such material may make 
good soil. 
There is a considerable variation in the underlying material of 
muck bogs. In every case the ultimate foundation is a clay or 
some other compact formation which retains the water. Above 
this there may be a strata of sand, and in the New York areas, espe- 
cially through the middle part of the state from Buffalo eastward, 
deep accumulations of marl are common. These marl deposits 
are made up chiefly of lime carbonate. Shells of mussels are 
abundant but the origin of the material seems to be due to the 
growth of a certain type of moss which precipitates lime carbonate 
from the swamp water. In a number of the deposits south of 
Rochester, the marl is many feet in depth, is of very great purity 
and is covered by only a thin layer of a few inches to a foot or more 
of muck. The purer deposits are sometimes used as a source of 
lime carbonate for the soil, for which purpose when dried and pul- 
verized they are entirely satisfactory. 
PROPORTION OF ORGANIC MATTER 
Special properties. Muck and peat soil contain from 50 to 
more than 85 per cent. of organic matter. Usually the more peaty 
